Finn and I were up at six this morning, intending to walk Ingleborough, but the rain was coming down heavily. We had our breakfast and I read a few chapters of my book accompanied by Finn gently snoring beside me, but, two and a half hours later, the rain was still coming down and showed no signs of letting off. So the decision was made to pack up a day early and go home to Norwich.
It’s been an amazing fortnight – I’ve really enjoyed it and I think that our walks to the local park will no longer cut it with Finn. I will have to make a concerted effort to take him further afield at weekends from now on. So, it’s back to the planning stage now for my next holiday – bring it on. In the meantime, thought I’d share some of the things I’ve learned from this holiday – hopefully next time I’ll be a wee bit more organised and actually get some proper walking done!
1. It’s so much harder camping when you have a dog. Finn has worked out how to escape from his cage. The cage is fine when the tent is pitched within view of the showers so he can see me entering and leaving. Otherwise he needs to be locked in the car. (Unless it’s an independent campsite – minus the fascists – and I can take him in the showers with me!)
2. Finn needs a rest too – after walking fairly hard surfaces all week, his paws become very tender. I think the next time I do a walk like this, I will only walk alternate days, thereby taking twice as long to complete as everyone else – a major change in thinking for me. It’s not a race. Blimey!! (This strategy will also help me to get to campsites and set up on the non-walk days, rather than tearing around at a hundred miles an hour after I’ve finished walking, trying to get camp set up.)
3. Days don’t have to be sequential. Blimey again!
4. You have a much better time doing support than walking – I think I’ve found my new role in life!
5. Walking with a dog is far more preferable to walking on my own. I would say Finn, with all his irritating ways, boundless energy and little tricks to escape, has made this holiday. He’s kept me entertained, amused and irritable in equal measure, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. (Although I could do without having to apologise for him constantly – especially the time he stole a sausage off someone’s barbecue and ran off with it.)
6. Things don’t always go according to plan ….. live with it!
So, over to Tristan and Steve for the Coast to Coast update …
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